ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 8, 1997 TAG: 9701080057
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
MEMO: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.
The Montgomery-Floyd-Radford Bar Association endorsed Bob Viar Jr. Tuesday night to replace retiring Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge Patrick Graybeal.
Viar, a Christiansburg lawyer, often represents social service agencies and has served for more than two years as a substitute judge in Graybeal's court.
"The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court is really a challenge because it tries to identify problems and solve them," said Viar, 43. "I have found it a gratifying challenge."
If the General Assembly follows the recommendation of the New River Valley's largest bar association, Viar will hear cases in the 27th Judicial Circuit, which serves mainly Montgomery and Giles counties.
Graybeal announced last month that he was leaving his seat as a judge effective April 30. He served for 25 years as the Montgomery County commonwealth's attorney before becoming a judge more than six years ago.
Four other candidates lobbied bar association members for their endorsement: Peggy Frank, Montgomery County assistant commonwealth's attorney; Victoria Robison, public defender for Pulaski County; Gail DeVilbiss, a Radford lawyer; and Harriett Dorsey, a Blacksburg lawyer.
The bar went through three rounds of voting before choosing Viar. The final choice was between Viar and Dorsey, who also has served as a substitute judge in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Asked what changes he would like to institute in the court, Viar said he would like to see more use of the Children of Divorce Seminar. The year-old program's purpose is to counsel parents about the damaging effects of divorce on children.
Viar is waiting to hear from the remaining bar associations in the 27th Judicial Circuit to see if he has won their approval.
The Giles County Bar Association meets today to vote. Marilyn Buhyoff, president of the Montgomery-Floyd-Radford Bar Association, said she had not heard when the three remaining bar associations plan to meet.
The 27th Judicial Circuit includes Montgomery, Floyd, Giles, Pulaski, Wythe, Bland, Grayson and Carroll counties and the cities of Galax and Radford.
LENGTH: Short : 48 linesby CNB